AHRQ study: Low health literacy leads to poor results, higher costs

A new study from the federal Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality has found that people who have trouble understanding health information are more likely to seek care in the emergency department or hospital and less likely to get cost-saving preventive care (Source: “Low Health Literacy Equals Poor Results, Study Finds,” National Journal, March 28, 2011).

“Ensuring that people understand health care information is critical to a high-quality, safe health care system,” AHRQ Director Carolyn Clancy said in a statement announcing the release of the study. “Improving health literacy will be a major step in the nation’s efforts to enhance health care quality and safety.”